the beard is going...going...gone...

............................my personal favorite! the village person!!...................................




... and now it looks like I am married to a much younger and extremely
handsome man. (ruggedly handsome, as he likes to add!)

Junior Theatre !

Mac is ecstatic because she got a part in PIPPI in Junior Theatre!
She doesn't know which part yet but she was worried she wouldn't get in at all
as the audition was kinda intimidating. After, she said she would be lucky
to be a "villager" or even on the crew.
She's been skipping all over the house today!
And Emmett is excited because his class is going on a field trip to see it in March!

There's nothing like seeing your kid happy!

I JUST LOST MY MIND AND MY TEMPER (publicaly!) OVER...

...two things I cannot be trusted to discuss rationally...because I hate them.
And they are... CAUTION TAPE all over the school garden and CHAIN LINK, in general, unless it's
in West Side Story or covered in Morning Glories but that's different.

And now I have to go apologize.
This day is sucking.

What freaks out Silas????

...the eyes and the 'thump thump thump' she makes coming into the room due to her 3 legs.
She is the most harmless squishy fat cat ever...and the only animal that freaks him out!!!

Technology is Sucking Away My Health Points

In the book Eragon the main character learns to use magic but must be careful that he doesn't go too far because magic uses energy...and the amount spent is equal to the amount taken. So the spells need to be cleverly simple so as not to drain the life of the magician.

Well, I find a connection here between Eragon and his magic use and Me and my new IPod.
The possibilities at my fingertips are endless however it is SUCKING my LIFE away while I stumble my way through transferring my entire musical life into this 5" x 2 " box. And I am not gifted in this area.

The experience of listening to the jazz genre listed now on my IPOD is lovely ....but.....the reverse equal of this pleasure is the poke-my-eyes-out irritation of burning all my CD's onto ITunes and downloading my library. (Which turns out to be too big anyway....grrrrrrrr.)

And...The wonder of plugging in that teeny device thing that allows me to hear my IPOD on any radio is balanced by the fact that 30 minutes into the road trip the battery wears out and, since I cleaned my car of all my CD's thanks to the "simplicity" of the IPOD, there is now no music in my car at all.

This is very painful and I feel I need a technology secretary to take over. Mac tried but found I was too cranky to work with. Apparently that's another side effect.

And someone today suggested that I really should get an IPHONE....so I can do what, I ask....
blog in the car while I locate a vegan restaurant and discover the artist who is singing on the radio so I can, quick, buy it on ITUNES and download it into my studio/rock playlist?
I can't imagine the reverse effect that would have on my poor mind. I do believe I might just implode or simply snuff out. The opposite reaction to that many possibilities has to be
completely disappearing.
Yes?

"Eating Animals"

As some of you may know the West Coast Dreyers have gone vegetarian. If you want some insight as to why read the book "Eating Animals" by Jonathan Safran Foer. Click here for trailer
and check out this link http://www.eatinganimals.com/

This is Papa here to tell you that FACTORY FARMS ARE MEAN AND NASTY!

Christmas 2009

We took very few pictures and video because it was just too busy and fun.
But these three capture much of it nicely!
What's missing is all the food, the creative and beautiful presents, AND the trampoline assembly (and re-assembly!) as well as all the lovely guests who helped make it all so wonderful...Cia, Larry, Larry, Meg, Crys, Johnny, George, Brian and Richard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank You EVERYONE!!!
We meant to take a full group pajama photo but Silas went to bed early (Nana is the toddler whisperer!) so we settled for an awesome show of MIGHT with these four in footie-jams with butt flaps.


The video below was taken at 6:30 am on Christmas morning with the completely annoying Navidad Chihuahua (that the kids torture Matt with every year by having it waddle into our bedroom to wake him up )... and the Dreyer Family Dancers doing their thing, waiting patiently for the green light to go downstairs...which happens when the coffee is in cups.


And this next little video snippet is after they have checked out their under-the-tree-presents and are surprisingly happier than expected to find only a whole lotta clothes and books and shoes ...only to be interupted by Papa exclaiming that he stepped in dog poo and they were in serious trouble for ignoring their chores yesterday etc etc and then he handed them plastic gloves and ordered them to scoop the poo while they wailed that it was unfair to do such things on Christmas, so true...
which led to this...

(no worries, the safety net was built later by Emmett and Papa!)

And when it was all over...after a delicious Christmas dinner (neatloaf that rocked, if I do say so myself) and a fun visit with Grandma Carol and Grandpa Arnie...we got snuggly to not one but TWO movies. Thank God for Harry Potter!!

The Nicest Thing I Could Think Of To Share On Christmas Eve

May your night be Sweet, Warm and Heartful!

Nana Starts Something

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

A Perfect Place

"Library" by Jon Clary
This I found on Eleanor Harwoods Gallery Website, but for the most beautiful
paintings of ALL, check out her gallery blog. I had no idea that she was such an amazing
painter. I especially love "White Light" and "Bower Bird".

Peace!

Get Comfy and Watch A Most Hilarious Show...

...in three segments, the first two are politically right on
AND funny as hell, and the last is just unbelievable AND
christmas-sy!

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Highway to Health - Last Tea Party Protest of the Year
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
The D.C.
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Obama's Socialist Christmas Ornament Program
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Come All Ye Carolers

This Sunday night around 7:00ish we will be bundling up
the kids in the sleigh (wagon) and heading
out into the snow (55 degrees) for some caroling.
Bring your woolies and your muffs (sweaters).


We will provide drink (hot chocolate)
so bring a cannikin (to-go cup).


It's that time of year!
And if you decide last minute to join us you can just wander the neighborhood until you find us. We will be the meandering, loud and slightly off-key group around the corner!

"it's so absurd, it's funny."

1) termite larvae on bed/must tent house
2) mini van brakes die
3) dishwasher breaks
4) washing machine breaks
5) dryer breaks
6) microwave breaks
7) humongous tree branch falls off into yard during storm
8) minivan brakes die again, while driving
9) buy new washing machine, it breaks in 30 minutes, truly
10) roof leaks all over guitars
11)we go to the doctor 8 times this month for various reasons
12)and today...sink explodes hot water all over everything
WHILE unloading Costco crap to the soundtrack of Silas saying "NO"
13) television stops working forever during "fight club"...it just went kaput

(number 13 just happened 4 minutes ago)

that's $5,000 spent so far not counting a new TV yet OR fixing the roof (buckets'll do)
Oh yeah, and Christmas.

"it's so absurd it's funny."

I Am Pro-Beard

Caroline and I had a long talk the other day about the merits of the beard. There are epic beards and tailored beards and rockstar beards...I just like them and I am glad they are making a comeback, although I know how that goes...they are probably already so yesterday. ha.

I think they look comfortable (which I hear is not always the case...) and natural and
artistic and intellectual and rugged and kind and less fussy and I also think the women on the arm of the men who wear beards look prettier somehow.









My two favorites...




AND....don't forget Santa!!
Merry Christmas!

Hip Hopping Thrillers

I just can't believe there are still people out there who think like this.

Even when I disagree with someones politics I do not enjoy watching an interview where they are embarrassed especially if the reason for the embarrassment is the inability to express their point or get a word in because of a rude and bombastic interviewer.This, thankfully, is not one of those interviews. Rachel Maddow gave this man ample opportunity to talk, she didn't interrupt and he took advantage by mentioning his website and books over and over as is to be expected. In parts of it I felt bad for the guy because he acts like he's all about love and tolerance for those who WANT to live a gay life but he's there to help those who want to "come out straight" and go back to heterosexuality...
The problem is that his personal (and twisted) opinion adds weight and (unwarranted) credibility to a public and dangerous situation. What is happening in Uganda with legislation to kill gay people is completely unbelievable to me and this supposedly peaceful little man's ideas about gay people indoctrinating our youth and leading, in essence, a dangerous and unwanted lifestyle in need of change is...well, less than peaceful and completely abhorrent to me.
And as mentioned in the Salon article where I first saw this interview, I too wish more of our politicians were interviewed so pointedly and completely.(The complete 17 minute interview is linked in this article...and is more thorough, but I couldn't make it appear on the blog, so below is a weirdly edited version...but you get the idea...)

The Tree, The Quilt

This is our favorite tree. We colored some white LED lights with pen so now we have some completely wild colors and we added some big lights which makes our tree look like it has a constellation glowing from within.
It was Emmett's year to add the star!

AND...Mac and Emmett finished their quilt on Sunday and spent the evening wrapped up in it.
You really can't get any Christmass-er than that!

sad but true

When I voted for Obama I felt I was voting for the guy who voted against the war.
Now I realize I instead voted for the guy who promised to go into Afghanistan during his campaign.
Joan Walsh (who often drives me crazy) gets it right in this article.
She writes..."I'm deeply disappointed, saddened even, but I don't feel betrayed. Obama has governed like the centrist he told us and showed us he is..."
Yeah, but I really hoped, even up to right before the speech that he would say that he changed his mind and just couldn't do it. Yes, I knew he wasn't as liberal as the right says he is but I somehow thought he would never do this, being a nobel peace prize winner and all. Damn. My big mistake. His big mistake.
So sad and miserable, this decision.

Read the article.

;(

Thanksgiving in Idyllwild

It started like this...


And turned, overnight, to this....


We had a great dinner but missed nana!(This is "THE
Official Thanksgiving Dinner Photo")

We went to the meadow, played games, read a lot, made an indoor cabin hammock
went to see "New Moon" at the Rustic Theatre with Mac and ate a LOT of everything
but the best was the split pea soup.
And here are two videos for Baby Feee! Wish you were here!


And now we are SOOOOOOOO ready for Christmas.

Zombie Christmas

Cami knows how to start Christmas off right with a book called
"Zombies: A book of Zombie Christmas Carols".
Our very favorite...


"Deck the Halls with Parts of Wally,
Fa la la la la la la la la la
'Tis the season for brains by golly
Fa la la la la la la la la la la la

Chew we now our friends gray matter,
Fa la la la la la la la la la
Wear old clothes 'cause fresh brains splatter,
Fa la la la la la la la la la"

etc etc etc.

Emmett and I cracked up and up.

Thankful.

We are off to Idyllwild while we get our house tented for termites. What a humongous pain in the butt this has been. Nana is staying close to home with the cats and it should all be over by Sunday. The final straw happened when squiggly termite larvae fell on Silas and me while we napped. Yes, when I woke up there were hundreds of maggots on the bed. Nasty.
And if you think you hear chewing or licking sounds in your walls and wonder "do termites make sounds?", the answer is YES!!
Anyway, after all this we should have busy but smooth holiday sailing with the usual Plum Pottery Student Sale and the house full of 1/2 completed Christmas present projects. I love this time of year no matter how crazy it gets...and even when I say I don't love it, I really do!

We have come up with a thankful list over the past month that is surely incomplete but you should know that if you are reading this YOU are in there deeply!! That means YOU and your babies too!!
We are thankful for...
family, BOOKS, nature, converse hightops, maps, fudge mint cookies, barbeque sauce, music, christmas, mashed potatoes, SEEDLINGS, butterflies, snuggly jams, hotels that take pets, candles, the end to termites, zarina, RAIN, school, days off from school, day shifts, good HEALTH, 'weener dogs', color, long tree swings, the ocean, forest pansy redbuds (like the one above!), time spent together, ELEPHANTS....and all that is YES!







(May you all be happy
and healthy and have
love in your lives
and heart sight!)

Emmett Ripping on the Piano

And a brief peek at Silas' new haircut!

3rd Grade and 7th Grade

These pictures slay me.
And, yes....after much deliberation Emmett decided to wear
the same hat as last year.
(8 years old and 11 years old.)

Good-bye Tree and Grass...

Our smaller, not-altogether-healthy front yard tree came down yesterday and we pulled up more of the grass to make room for another garden space.
This was step one and we don't expect to proceed with step two for a while...but the guys we got to take down the tree were just so quick. In the plans are a path and more retaining bricks like the other side and hopefully some fruit, herbs and vegetables as well as more drought tolerant plants.
We will see how this works with conserving water. We may have to pour all of our shower water out the window to pay for it!

We were able to cut much of the tree into firewood, stumps for sitting and stepping stones.

And Silas will be happy. He loves the dirt piles. Guess what he like to do now?...

"I am King Silas!"

Challenge the lying "Deficit Weenies"

READ THIS ARTICLE NOW and spread the word each and every time you hear
that ridiculous argument about the deficit.

Why I Love Our School!

Last night we went to Emmett's 3rd grade classroom for the celebration of the kid's service projects. Each student had to somehow make the world a better place and there were so many great projects. Really wonderful. (Check out this video by Bidane !!!)
But then to top it all off they decided, with the inspirational direction of Merrill and Dmitry and help from Allison Bell, to make their "project completion party" into another service project.
For $10 each of us received a handmade pottery bowl made by the kids, classroom made vegetable soup and salad (lettuce, radishes and herbs picked that morning from the school garden) and fresh bread AND then delicious apple bars (made by Cindy, Dmitry's wife) with apples picked by the kids on the field trip they went on last week.
And all the proceeds go to Food Not Bombs.
Wow.
It was a delicious meal...and one the kids deserved more than any other as they grew it, nurtured it, and put thought and love into it.
There were over 100 people there!
It felt like thanksgiving to me.
It was just awesome.
These kids get the best here...they just do.

Time Out Kids New York!

Hurray, we made it to a top ten list for best family CD's of 2009.
Our awesome competition is Recess Monkey, Lunch Money and Billy Kelly-all really great!
So we are really proud.
Read about us here and, friends, if you like the CD too...don't forget to pass it along to other
families who you think would dig it!
Thanks everybody and Hurray!

The Goddess of the Hunt

Tally: 8 mice in 3 days!
Most definitely the Artemis we were looking for to
solve our rodent problem in a circle of life kind of way.
Zarina is bad ass.